Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  Just-Right SUV! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By xVRM - January 6 - 2:00 am

  No mechanical problems to-date (36k mi.). Very nice standard features. Interior layout is excellent. Power adequate around town and in steady highway cruising Some scheduled maintenance pricey. Body hardware is good. No squeaks or rattles. Lack of body cladding is a plus.

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  The Japanese should be afraid! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Hondaguy - January 6 - 1:16 am

  I am normally a Honda buyer, but I bought this Amanti because of the great deal I got and I love it! If you are thinking about an Accord, give this sedan a try ... it will surprise you.

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  Dont waste your money - 2002 Kia Rio
  By total garbage - January 5 - 1:16 am

  I bought this car and have had nothing but problems. the dealer is crappy they dont even work with the buyer. The car makes a horrible squealing sound when driving, the bolts from the steering wheel fall out when driving the car. the air bag light stays on, the car rattles when driving, this car is a total lemon and I am not afraid to share it with anybody, You couldnt pay me enough to drive another Kia. when I am able to get rid of this one it needs to go to a junkyard so no other poor soul has to deal with the cost of monthly repairs to keep it on the road.

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  great upsized mid level suv - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By rich - January 4 - 8:54 pm

  looked at several others including the Honda crv and the Subaru forrester and couldnt believe the additional size and value in this car. I have 2000 miles on it since it was leased and I love it. the interior materials are not cheap but very soft and rich looking. the controls while incorporating touch technology still have a lot of buttons and dials which I personally love. great sounding satellite radio and the noise level from outside is minimal. I have the 240 horse turbo and was concerned with the low milage epa estimates for the car thinking I would be lucky to get 22-23 miles per gallon. I changed the selection for the engine to echo mode when I drove it home and it has been there ever since. I have the awd and I have consistently averaged 25 + miles since new. I have not had any lack of power in this mode and will continue to leave it there. back seats very roomy and had three adults back there going out to eat the other night with no issues. back storage area very large also. another nice feature which I havent had to use yet is the locking hub mode for deep snow etc. great car at a wonderful price.

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  Great Commuter Car - Thumbs UP! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By billddrummer - January 3 - 11:13 pm

  Bought this vehicle seeking reasonable price point and good fuel economy. The car delivers both with excellent results! I have daily multi-destination commutes and put nearly 600 miles/week on this vehicle among 3 drivers. We routinely get 30+ miles/gallon in mixed driving, and the car is comfortable for all of us, ranging from 55" to over 6 feet. Seats are wide enough for middle-aged spread, and pickup in lower gears is exceptional. No complaints from this happy owner! Check this out before buying a Honda or Toyota Corolla.

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  Wow, We love it - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By satterlee - January 3 - 12:10 pm

  It is a pleasure to drive. Comfortable ride and precise steering.

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  Honda, Toyota, and Nissan-----LOOK OUT!!! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By mojonphx - January 3 - 9:10 am

  This car is amazing, after dismal repairs on my 2009 Honda Accord EX-L, I gave in on my frustrations and traded in the car for a brand new 2012 Kia Optima EX with Tech and Prem packages. The car is so much nicer than the Accord and a pleasure to drive. I have already put 3k miles on the car in one month because it is so addicting to drive and it turns heads wherever I go and people always ask "Thats a KIA?" I highly recommend it and dont pass it by because it is a KIA, the brand has made drastic changes and it definitely shows. My Honda Accord was my third and last Honda and I will not be going back.

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  2016 Forte - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Carolyn - January 3 - 4:25 am

  Put on comfortable shoes, take your umbrella, and take your time and enjoy your shopping.

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  Kia unable to repair. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Gunter Dresler - December 31 - 9:00 pm

  After driving my 1.5 year old 20,000 km Sorento for 10 meters in 50 cm deep water, it stopped running. The Dealer/Importer had the car for over 6 month in the shop and could NOT get it running again. I paid for a new Computer, but still, as of today it is not running. The location of the air intake is for an SUV on one of the most stupid places you can find in an 4 weal ATV. and so is the location of the Computer.

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  college girls dream car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By dmr0824 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my daughter who is a freshman in college, she absolutely loves it. Was looking for an inexpensive new car, that would be dependable, good warranty, and a car I felt she would be safe in. This was it. I feel the gas mileage could be better, but I drive a durango and get 13 miles to the gallon, so I shouldnt compain. Overall she loves it, the style fits he, wanted something small and cute. Great 1st new car for her, when she is out of school, he younger sister is looking forward to it for her first car.